October 2011<strong>Gila</strong> <strong>River</strong> <strong>Indian</strong> NewsPage 6O'odham Veterans continued from page 1Walt Porter/GRINLeonard Jim, D3, was dressed in his fatigues as were many veterans whoattended the celebration. Jim belongs to the Haskell Osife-Antone Post#51 from Blackwater.Walt Porter/GRINDennis Perkins, D1, is a Vietnam veteran who served in the Navy. Perkinsattends on a yearly basis and said last years celebration was just as goodas this years.from Blackwater. “It’s a goodthing,” he said. “I’m glad the posthas gotten it going. I get to seeclassmates and cousins.”The day started at 5 a.m. witha sunrise blessing and healingceremony for veterans and theirfamilies. Master of Ceremonies,Urban Giff facilitated the program,introducing each presenterand entertainer. At 8 a.m., theprogram officially began withDavid Anderson giving a welcomeaddress, which segued intothe opening prayer, a blessing, theposting of colors and national anthem.Moving through the programveterans were addressed by guestspeakers like GRIC Lt. Governor,Joseph Manuel who thanked theveterans for their dedication andservice to our country. A surplusof DOD equipment, like bootsResponses to Loop 202 concerns continued from page 1<strong>Community</strong>.Q: What steps have the Executive Office,<strong>Community</strong> Council, TransportationTechnical Team or the Law Officetaken to up-hold the previous Councilresolutions to protect the Mountain andto refrain from allowing the Loop 202being built on <strong>Community</strong> land?Q: How can you allow the <strong>Community</strong>to make a decision on this issue whenthere have been no facts given to any ofus?A: The TTT presented an update and informationon the Arizona Department ofTransportation (ADOT), Maricopa Associationof Governments (MAG) and theFederal Highways South Mountain Freeway(Loop 202) activities during 16 differentdistrict meetings that would entertainthe request to present. These included 3times at the District 6 Committee meetingand were present at the D6 Loop 202Rally, to the Urban Members Association,at the Elderly Concerns meeting and theCouncil of Elders meeting. During theseoutreach meetings, the TTT provided theADOT’s Loop 202 plan, Governor Rhodes’response to the State and County’s plan requestingcooperation with the <strong>Community</strong>to identify ways to mitigate the cultural andenvironmental impacts to their alignment,the State’s and County’s alignment, the alternatealignment identified in GR-05-06,as well as possible impacts to consider.Q: We must question the judgment ofall of our leaders in allowing this vote totake place without a proper EIS reportfrom the state of Arizona.Q: Has there been an environmentalstudy done?A: GRIC’s Department of EnvironmentalQuality, Cultural Resources Departmentand Department of Transportations commentshave been included in the Study’sEnvironmental Impact Statement (EIS);the draft EIS has not yet been released for“public comment.” If there is a proposeddate for release, we may want to discloseit.According to ADOT’s website, “Whenthe Draft Environmental Impact Statementis released to the public, it will detail theoptions considered in the Southwest Valleyand describe the reasons why the 55thAvenue Alternative was selected as the preliminarypreferred option for the WesternSection. The draft report will also detail thePecos Road option being considered in theEastern Section area of the study. If otheroptions become available to study, theprocess will take those into account. Thedraft report also will discuss the "No-BuildAlternative" for the entire South MountainFreeway to examine the effects of not buildingthe freeway as proposed by MAG.The draft report will be made availablefor at least 45 days for the public to reviewand comment. During that comment period,two public hearings will be held onthe contents of the Draft EnvironmentalImpact Statement.From there, the public will have another30-day opportunity to comment on the FinalEnvironmental Impact Statement. Thecomments received during both 45-dayand 30-day comment periods will be usedby ADOT and Federal Highway Administrationin making a final decision regardingthe project. That final decision will bepresented in the Record of Decision byFHWA. ADOT will begin acquiring rightof-wayafter the final decision is made.”Q: How do you all justify forcing usto vote on bringing hazardous cancerouscausing pollutants into our communitywithout telling us their affects or howmuch?Q: How can our community prosperWalt Porter/GRINDirk Kalka, D4, an Army veteran who served in the Korean Conflict, stands next to Urban Giff, D6, Vietnam veteranwho served in the Marines. The annual celebration serves to reunite old friends and family.and fatigues, was also distributedamongst the veterans in attendance.The program hosted a slew ofentertainment from the T’ohonoO’odham Veterans Band andBlack Dog Singers to comedianTeresa Choyugha and the HashanKehk Basket Dancers.To see veterans from far andwide both younger and elder wasan assurance that the <strong>Community</strong>’scommitment to honor veteranswas solidly intact. Veteransof most every conflict were representedfrom the Korean Conflictand Vietnam to more recent conflictssuch as Desert Storm andthe War in Iraq.It’s important to note that NativeAmericans have always protectedtheir traditional lands and borders.They have always honored theland on which they've lived andwhen we do not have any leadership thatconsiders the health of all of the peoplebefore the wealth of a handful of people?A: The cultural well being and the healthof the members, especially in District 6,was one of the reasons Governor Rhodeswrote to the State requesting <strong>Community</strong>participation in the decision making processof any transportation route that woulddirectly or indirectly impact the membersof this <strong>Community</strong>. If GRIC does not havea seat at the table, then our voice will neverbe heard.Q: We are still in the planning stage,therefore, we would like you all to ceaseand desist with manipulating people.The <strong>Community</strong> has maintained itsneutrality, has NOT committed to anydecisions and has NOT made any agreementsregarding the South MountainFreeway (Loop 202) alignment or anyother alternate alignment. The <strong>Community</strong>has been forthcoming and has providedthe members of <strong>Gila</strong> <strong>River</strong> with allthe information that has been affordedthem on this issue.Q: As long as the ADOT web site statesthat "No-Build" is still an option thenstop telling us that the freeway is goingto come whether we like it or not. Whyis the "No Build Option" not being discussed?A: According to ADOT’s website, “thedraft EIS report will discuss the "No-BuildAlternative" for the entire South MountainFreeway to examine the effects of not buildingthe freeway as proposed by MAG.”According to ADOT, the State determinedthat “No-Build” was not an alternative.Inother words, it is ADOT’s position that afreeway shall be built.If the <strong>Community</strong> has not invested anyfunds into opposing this freeway or evenfrom which they’ve subsisted.It’s no different in this modernera. When our soldiers leave todefend our rights to freedom, it’sthe oft circumstance they are metwith adversity upon their return.The generations of returning veteranshope to change that.Master of Ceremonies, UrbanGiff, D6, spoke to this issue. “Weneed to make sure veterans knowthat people welcome them andappreciate their service. DuringVietnam, soldiers were criticizedduring the war,” Giff said.As a Marine and Vietnam Veteranwith 20 years service to hiscredit, his views are molded byexperience.Events like the O’odham VeteransCelebration are steps towardhealing the wounds and burdensveterans carry through camaraderieand honor.looked into the possibility of fighting forthe lives of our citizens; then how can youall believe there is no way to oppose thefreeway?Q: We would like to request that thepeople be given a fair chance to voice ouropinion and allow the no-build option tobe placed on the ballot.A: During a Special Council meeting held,Saturday October 1, 2011 the <strong>Community</strong>Council moved to include “No-Build” asa South Mountain Freeway (Loop 202)alignment ballot option.The <strong>Community</strong> Council will set a datefor the vote at a later time.Q: Transportation Technical Teammembers to bring all of the informationthat was given to the council (which persuadedCouncil to turn their backs onthe previous Council resolutions) out tothe Districts before any of us are forcedto vote.A: As directed by the Natural ResourcesStanding Committee, the TTT provided allinformation to the <strong>Community</strong> members at16 different presentations first; the <strong>Community</strong>Council has not entertained thepresentation thus far.Q: Are you for the South MountainFreeway on our land, yes or no?Are you for the South Mountain Freewaythrough the mountain, yes or no?A: The TTT is tasked with implementingdirectives from the Executive Office and/or the <strong>Community</strong> Council, and to provideinformation to the <strong>Community</strong> andgather input from <strong>Community</strong> memberson all transportation routes within and thatmay affect the <strong>Community</strong>. The TTT hasmMaintained a neutral position which iscritical to an unbiased process.
October 2011EDUCATION SECTIONPage 7<strong>Community</strong> Responses continued from page 1language to the referendum specifying a‘no-build’ option in addition to the ‘yes/no’ options. The motion was approved.A specific date to vote on the referendumwill be determined by GRIC’s election office.According to GR-164-11, A RESOLU-TION APPROVING AND AUTHO-RIZING A REFERENDUM OF THECONSTRUCTION OF THE SOUTHMOUNTAIN 202 EXTENTION FREE-WAY THROUGH THE <strong>GILA</strong> <strong>RIVER</strong> IN-DIAN RESERVATION,GRIC <strong>Community</strong> Council has authorizedthis referendum to indicate <strong>Community</strong>member’s decision to favor or oppose theconstruction of the South Mountain 202Extension Freeway or to favor a No-buildoption on the aforementioned freeway.Also according to the resolution, the resultsof this referendum will be GRIC’sofficial position on the construction Loop202 Extension on the <strong>Gila</strong> <strong>River</strong> <strong>Indian</strong>Reservation.The resolution was certified, signed anddated on Oct. 3, 2011Elementary School Elects New StudentCouncil Members"Kick-Off ” to a great school year at Ira H. HayesHigh School!Walt Porter/GRINWalt Porter/GRINTop row left to right: Shelley Huston, Alicen Apkaw, Valencia Dixon, Melania Natani, JaidynEtsitty, Alan Pratt Middle row left to right: Leona Harrison, Shaelene Hoffman, Gabriella Boss,Alicia Ramon, Ethan June, Summer Justin, Jeriah Johns Front row left to right: Deserie Cross,Anna Ramirez, Dre’Anna Whapeta, Ernisto Enos, Raven Stevens, Nizhoni WilliamsBy Wendy Ong, Ed. DIra H. Hayes High SchoolSuperintendent/PrincipalDuring the first week of school, Ira H.Hayes High School students and staff weretreated with a visit by professional footballplayer, Nick Lowery. Mr. Lowery playedfor the New England Patriots, the KansasCity Chiefs, and the New York Jets. Asa placekicker, he was selected to the ProBowl three times and when he retired wasranked first in field goal percentage andalso had the most field goals in NFL history.In 2009, Mr. Lowery was inductedinto the Kansas City Chiefs’ Hall of Fame.As part of the 1st week of orientationat Ira Hayes High School, Mr. Loweryspoke to the students about the importanceof setting goals and staying focused. Hegave the example of being in a stadium of80,000 football fans and having to reallybe focused and determined to kick the footballover the goal post. He encouraged thestudents to be the same way with school…...”focused and determined with nothingdistracting you.” “Expect to do well, bringin and attract healthy energy to yourself”,Lowery told the students. “Surround yourselfwith people that have your best interestin mind”. At the end of his presentation,Lowery spoke to individual students andautographed personal poster for them. Itwas a wonderful morning of motivationand inspiration by Nick Lowery!By Walt PorterGRIN/InternSACATON – The newly elected membersof Sacaton Middle School Student Councilwere announced Sept. 19.An alternate from the third grade class,Ethan June, said he joined because hewanted to help people. He’s the secondyoungest of three brothers and one sister.June said that he likes the school becauseit's fun, he also likes to do his work.Fourth grade student council representative,Alicen Apkaw, said she is excited tobe a part of the council.“It was cool because I always wanted tobe on student council,” Apkaw said.Apkaw was told by her friends that beingpart of the council would be fun and theyget to be more involved with the school.She also is eager to give a helping handaround the school.Running for the student council presidentis something that she looks forward to doingthis year while in council.Student council advisor, Shelly Huston,said she’s gearing the students up for a fantasticyear.Their responsibilities will include raisingthe flag in the morning and fundraising. Atthe end of the year, the student council willsponsor an event with the money raised.Last year they supplied snow cones duringtheir field day.
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